Asparagus: Answers to key questions leading to this genus, from Lilies, Irises & Orchids of Saskatchewan by Vernon L. Harms and Anna L. Leighton.  The answers are in the order you would normally work through the key.

	Flowers axillary, suspended on delicate stalks from leaf axils, either singly or in few-flowered clusters (leaves small and scale-like in Asparagus).  NOT [Flowers terminal, either single or grouped in an umbel, raceme or panicle.]
	Flowers 1 per stalk; flower stalk 1-3 per leaf axil, terete, filiform, jointed or bent at right angle midway along its length; berries orange to red when mature.  NOT [Flowers 2-10 per stalk; flower stalk 1 per leaf axil, flattened toward base, neither jointed nor angled; berries dark blue when mature.]
	Flower stalks at most 1.2 cm long, +/- straight with an inconspicuous joint midway along the length; leaves reduced to 1-2 (3) mm long scales subtending branches and clusters of 1-3 cm long, flattened, thread-like cladophylls.  NOT [Flower stalks 2-5 cm long, bent at right angle with gland at elbow; leaves ovate to lanceolate, 5-15 cm long.]

Liliaceae: Answers to key questions leading to this family, from Lilies, Irises & Orchids of Saskatchewan by Vernon L. Harms and Anna L. Leighton . 

Ovary positioned above the attachment point of the other flower parts (ovary superior) or with the other parts attached partway up the ovary wall (ovary partly inferior) or, if ovary positioned below the attachment point (ovary inferior), then stamen number 6 (Hypoxis); stamens 3 or 6 (rarely 4); fruit a capsule or berry.  NOT [Ovary positioned below the attachment point of the other flower parts (ovary inferior); stamens 1-3; fruit a capsule.]